System and method for monitoring and reporting liquid nitrogen container level

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods by which the level of liquid nitrogen in one or more liquid nitrogen storage containers can be monitored, leaks may be detected and reported, and ideal container fill level may be indicated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for monitoring and detecting leaks in a liquid nitrogen container containing liquid nitrogen, the system comprising:
 a weight sensor configured to support the liquid nitrogen container in a manner by which the weight of the liquid nitrogen container is measurable by the weight sensor, the weight sensor configured to periodically measure the weight of the liquid nitrogen container and to transmit liquid nitrogen container weight data; 
 a monitoring device including a processor and associated memory, a display, a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, the monitoring device in direct or indirect communication with the weight sensor and configured to receive liquid nitrogen container weight data therefrom; and 
 programming in the monitoring device configured to:
 analyze liquid nitrogen container weight reading data received from the weight sensor to calculate losses in the weight of the liquid nitrogen container, 
 determine from the calculated liquid nitrogen container weight losses if the rate of liquid nitrogen container weight loss continues to increase over some predetermined number of tank fills or over some predetermined period of time, and 
 when it is determined that the rate of weight loss of the liquid nitrogen container has continued to increase for said predetermined number of tank fills or for said predetermined period of time, indicate the same to a user. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A system for assisting with filling a liquid nitrogen container with liquid nitrogen to an ideal level, the system comprising:
 a weight sensor configured to support the liquid nitrogen container in a manner by which the weight of the liquid nitrogen container is measurable by the weight sensor, the weight sensor configured to periodically measure the weight of the liquid nitrogen container and to transmit liquid nitrogen container weight data; 
 a monitoring device including a processor and associated memory, a display, a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter, the monitoring device in direct or indirect communication with the weight sensor and configured to receive liquid nitrogen container weight data therefrom; and 
 programming in the monitoring device configured to:
 analyze liquid nitrogen container weight reading data received from the weight sensor as the liquid nitrogen container is being filled with liquid nitrogen so as to calculate increases in the weight of the liquid nitrogen container, and 
 when the weight of the liquid nitrogen container has reached a predetermined weight previously determined to correspond to the weight of the liquid nitrogen container at an ideal liquid nitrogen fill level, indicate the same to a user.